Denver Botanic Gardens' School of Botanical Art and Illustration is designed to teach the skills necessary to portray plants accurately both for scientific purposes and for beautiful plant illustrations. The school is open for everybody, both for committed illustrator and enthusiastic amateur. The program can lead to a Certificate that is offered only a few locations worldwide. The Certificate Program was initiated and established in 1990 by Angela Overy.

It takes a gifted artist to become a great teacher and those who dare to teach never cease to learn.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Crested Butte has been officially designated the Wild Flower Capital of Colorado. Over eight hundred species are sprinkled through out 850,000 acres of wilderness making this the best area for wild flower viewing in the state!The Rendezvous Gallery located in Crested Butte, Colorado has extended and invitation to Colorado Botanical Artists to participate in a show of Contemporary Botanical Wild Flower Art that will be on display for the Annual Wild Flower Festival of 2007.Call for Entries

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Please make note of the classes starting in the end of April and beginning of May.You can see the classes offered from the required curriculum by clicking here, and the ones from the electives by clicking here. Please note, that “Surface textures with the microscope” class is limited to 10 students (a week-end course). The class we are offering in computer graphics starting on April 30th is a four week class (3 hours 45 min per session). Composition is offered in Fort Collins and is a week-end course.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Denver area is expected to get some snow tomorrow (one foot or little more) that can cause traffic problems. In the worst case scenario, the Denver Botanic Gardens will be closed. By noon time tomorrow, Friday we will know if the reception at 5 p.m. will be postponed. The weather and snow advisory for the Gardens, please call 720-865-3620.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

In a story blooming with beauty and scientific mystery, NOVA investigates the remarkable discovery of an ancient fossil that some leading scientists believe could be the earliest evidence of a flower. "First Flower" probes the controversy sparked by this unique fossil found in a remote area of China where dinosaurs roamed more than 100 million years ago. Does this discovery hold the key to one of science's deepest mysteries? Join us on a detective hunt for the very first flower and explore the still unfolding story of how and why flowers evolved."First Flower" will premiere Tuesday, April 17 at 8:00 p.m. on most PBS stations. Check your local listings to confirm when it will be broadcast near you: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/schedule-local.htmlThe list of project participants can be found here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/flower/bios.html

'David Dilcher continues examining clues to the fossil's origins and age, the fossil also starts to garner controversy. Among the most vocal critics of the find is Stockholm-based paleobotanist Else Marie Friis (editors note: a colleague and a good friend of mine). Friis has made another remarkable discovery captured in the film: tiny, 120 million-year-old flower buds that long ago turned to charcoal. Friis doesn't question that Archaefructus is an ancient flowering plant, but believes earlier examples are yet to be found. (PBS/NOVA)

Friday, April 6, 2007

'Butterflies and other Pollinators', the BI-exhibit now in Gates Garden Court by cliking here. (Note: Only a selection of the artwork is presented). Please join us for the reception on April 13th, 5-7 p.m.

Also, may I introduce Shirley Hansen, our registrar and the friendly voice you always meet in the phone;

and did you know that Katy Kelsey takes care of many things behind the scenes: she takes care of the accounts, writes the labels to our artwork, makes the bookings for the guests, helps me with the receptions, and more...

Without these two wonderful people at the Denver Botanic Gardens the Education Office and the BI program would not be the same.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Please check out the exclusive selection of pollinators decorating Gates Garden Court. More pictures about the exhibit will be posted in a few days. Consequently the Linnaeus exhibit will return to Sweden…

You might be interested to have a closer look at www.lakewoodartscouncil.org . Lakewood Art Council is seeking entries from Colorado artists by April 17 for the 12th annual From the Garden Show to hang April 24 to May 19 at the South Union Gallery (85 South Union Boulevard). Juror is Arleta Pech. Up to 4 works may be entered.

The following note came from Pat McAuliffe, the president of RMSBA “The planned opening of show at The Wildlife Experience is going to be delayed. It will not open April 7th as was on the postcards mailed and previous information put out. This is due to a Fire Department assessment shutting down our gallery until they can install another exit or two to meet code! It may open the 15th of April but at this time we cannot be sure. Notification of the actual opening will come out when the date is known. “

Sunday, April 1, 2007

The big celebrations have started in Sweden in honor of the tercentenary of the birth of Carl von Linné. Today was the premier for the documentary Expedition Linné produced by Folke Rydén and filmed by Mattias Klum. For more information about the documentary, please click here. See also information about the other happenings going on in Sweden and around by clicking here. The official commemorative book of the year: System and passion is available in the DBG library. I'm also eagerly waiting for my copy of The Linnaeus Apostles - Global Science & Adventure (8 volumes).